Inflation being what it is, that's probably $500 now, and of course that will clog the toilet, which means you'll have to call a plumber and pay him $300 to clear the line for you... 

Home value doubling every few decades is primarily a function of inflation, but I personally think the intrinsic value of a home provides a better inflation hedge then other assets like the S&P 500. 

That's why you always have to anticipate these nuances and build them in to the asking price from the get go.My 3 cents worth adjusted for inflation.

Just don't get caught by the slight inflation this summer's lack of inventory has produced...  

I know inflation will slowly send my real estate values up through the years, (though for real value: I am not intelligent enough to say whether it will be higher or lower) and with a my current financing structure I will do more than alright if I hold on for the next decade or so.The portfolio is structured on a 20 year term, of which I am 6 years through.

Add in inflation, tax benefits to include depreciation, the slow increasing of rents over time, and the ability to use leverage at purchase--well, there are a variety of benefits to investing in property.

It used to be you could build for $100/sqft on flat land and about $200-300/sqft on a slope...but inflation and also skyrocketing prices in the Bay Area have doubled/tripled that. 

So I am trying to run numbers on a few larger apt. buildings and the expenses the owners have given me are obviously inflated for tax benefits.  

I also think there is a high probability of inflation...  

Duplexes do not appreciate like a SFR and SFR historically appreciate at the inflation rate.